Kicking And Rolling

The forthcoming release from the "Straight Arrow" label is entitled "Kicking And Rolling" (SA 2007-6-02), and will feature the Las Vegas February midnight show from February 18, 1973 taken from a so-called "booth tape". This CD has a running time of 64 minutes and is set for release late May 2007.
Synopsis:
The midnight show from February 18th, as presented on this CD, could be called quite typical for this season, if not for an extremely unusual incident which happened during this show, and which has made this show one of his most controversial concerts ever. Elvis had been practicing karate since his army days and got his black belt in '60. On this particular night in early '73, he got an unexpected chance to use his martial art against some aggressors.
This concert includes great performances of songs like "An American Trilogy", "What Now My Love", "Steamroller Blues", "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me" or "I Can't Stop Loving You".
This recording comes from an early generation copy of the original "booth tape" and for an off-line recording, the sound quality is very good. The audio was restored in a professional studio to achieve the best possible results. "Booth tapes" were made from a "booth" or table at the edge of the stage, close to the speakers, by someone who was part of Elvis' organization. Unlike the usual audience recordings, "booth recordings" were made by someone who was known by Elvis' security force, and who did not have to worry about concealing the recorder and microphone. The sound quality of such tapes is noticeably better than a typical audience recording.
As a bonus, five tracks recorded in February 1973 under the same circumstances were added.
Just like previous releases from this label, this new CD will come in a deluxe package with a 16-page booklet, containing a collection of live and candid photographs from February - April 1973, Las Vegas memorabilia, informative liner notes with an "Elvis in early 1973" overview, as well as details about Elvis' Las Vegas 1973 Winter season.
Note: this release has nothing to do with the poor quality audience recording of the same show which in circulation under titles like "I'll Whoop His Ass" and "Fight Night".
Tracks:
01. Also Sprach Zarathustra (Theme from "2001 A Space Odyssey") - 02. Opening Vamp / C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen (medley) / Big Boss Man (one line) - 04. Love Me Tender - 05. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me - 06. Steamroller Blues - 07. You Gave Me A Mountain (with reprise) - 08. Fever - 09. Love Me - 10. Blue Suede Shoes - 11. Johnny B. Goode - 12. Hound Dog (slow & fast) - 13. What Now My Love - 14. Suspicious Minds - 15. Instrumental Intermezzo / Elvis attacked on stage - 16. I Can't Stop Loving You - 17. An American Trilogy - 18. Can't Help Falling In Love - 19. Closing Vamp.
Special bonus:
20. * C. C. Rider - 21. Steamroller Blues - 22. You Gave Me A Mountain - 23. Fever - 24. * What Now My Love (with reprise).
* taken from Las Vegas 23.02.1973 Closing Show.

Reactions

Personally i like these 'booth tapes' I mean both the Baxter 20.8.73 M/S was 'great' as was the last compiled 'blueberry hill' tracks on the Feb 1974 FTD show! I know both the closing show AND this 18.2.73 M/S show have been out before, but i'm certain NEVER in such 'Quality!' besides a couple of tracks come from another show near the end of the engagement as well (and that hasn't been released yet to my knowledge!)straight arrow ALWAYS impress me and i'm certain this will too.

I would imagine this "booth tape" will have a similar sound to the one from August 20th 1973 which was released as a part of the first Fort Baxter "A profile" box set. Therefore, this should be stereo and sounds like you're in the room. This should be better than that awful quality "I'll kick his ass" release.

a short conclusion: another re-release! booth tape or not, I'm not buying this show twice! In the booklet of the most recent straight arrow release they announce a show of the april 72 tour, let us have that one.